GOP to offer budget blueprint with Medicare, food stamp cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Republicans now in charge of Congress offer their budget blueprint this week. They're pledging to balance the nation's budget within a decade and rein in major programs such as food stamps and Medicare.

More pressing an issue for many Republicans, however, is easing automatic budget cuts set to slam the military.

The chairmen of the House and Senate Budget panels plan to release their budget plans on Tuesday and Wednesday. The nonbinding measure called a budget resolution sets broad parameters on taxes and spending.

It requires follow-up legislation later this year to implement its balanced-budget goals, and Republicans are unlikely to take on that task as long as President Barack Obama occupies the Oval Office.